Kapalabhati pranayama literally translates as “the breath of the shining skull.” It is an invigorating practice that warms up and cleanses the body.

Kapalabhati is a passive inhalation followed by a powerful active exhalation. This is a great practice such as https://www.julianalucky.com/ to cheer up in the morning and energize for the whole day. This pranayama improves blood circulation, massages the abdominal organs and helps to cleanse them of toxins. You will also notice that kapalabhati noticeably changes your well-being, clearing the mind of anxiety and stress.

How to practice

The most important principle of kapalabhati is passive inhalation and active exhalation. By passive is meant that the inhalation naturally occurs on its own. After you forcefully push the air out of you, the body naturally takes a small breath to restore breathing. Let the body breathe in without any effort or control. In this pranayama, the abdominal and lower back muscles are actively worked during each exhalation. This creates a feeling of warmth in the core area.

Sit comfortably in lotus or easy pose. Hands can be placed on your knees or stretched up in a V shape. Take a deep breath through your nose. Forcefully pushing the navel towards the spine and pulling the stomach in, exhale actively through the nose. Then relax completely and allow natural inhalation through the nose. And then repeat a strong powerful exhalation through the nose. Breathe in this way for as long as you feel comfortable, usually 15-20 breaths. As you practice, bring the Kapalbhati breath up to 108 times in one set.